Customer - Wiltshire Council

Architect - Bush Consultancy - Design and Build

Contract value - £2.9m

Contract duration - 62 weeks

Procurement - Competitive Tender

Strong collaboration with school and council underpins successful construction of new 7-classroom building

During a year long project at Lydiard Millicent C of E Primary School near Swindon, Beard was responsible for both the design and build of brand new school buildings and associated external works, to replace inefficient and aging facilities.

The new seven-classroom, single storey building provides children and staff with a modern up-to-date learning environment utilising a number of sustainable elements to help minimise future energy costs and meet school environmental criteria. These include areas of 'green' roofing, composite windows, ground source heat pumps for heating and rainwater harvesting tanks. A high percentage of materials were also recycled.

The positive relationship achieved by the site team with teaching staff and Wiltshire Council was a key factor throughout the project. This was especially important during the initial phase to relocate the school into temporary buildings in the grounds and to refurbish a Victorian pre-school building ready for the new term.

Challenges & Solutions

Shared access via a narrow, no through lane required a vigilant approach to construction traffic with vehicle restrictions during school drop off and pick up times.

Achieving a high quality finish for the project with time to help staff relocate into the new buildings was a key goal.

Careful phasing of the project and the ongoing collaborative partnership with the school were necessary to ensure a positive outcome for the scheme.

"Beard has been a terrific construction partner and we are delighted with the new school. They really listened to our needs and the close collaboration they achieved with us and Wiltshire Council helped ensure all aspects went smoothly from the initial setting up of our temporary buildings and playground last summer, right through all phases of the building process. We could not have asked for a better team. ”
Carol Dougill , Headteacher